http://www.artwoo.com Returned search results for bird feeder Copyright 2008 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 20:43:05 +0000 http://www.artwoo.com/rss/bird+feeder http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-feeder-believed-to-attract-more-than-birds http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-feeder-believed-to-attract-more-than-birds#comments Mon, 03 Jul 2006 04:27:06 +0000 bird feederbird feederstype of foodproper foodhummingbirdsbirdsseeds http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-feeder-believed-to-attract-more-than-birds bird feeder is a device that is placed outdoors for the purpose of dispensing food to birds. The ultimate success of a bird feeder is determined by it's placement, the types of seeds provided and the design of the feeder itself.

To begin with, a bird feeder must be large enough to accommodate the nearby species. Birds need to be able to get to the seeds easily if they are to continue to use the bird feeder. In addition, the feeder should be placed somewhere convenient and easily accessible. Most bird feeders are located in a tree that birds are known to frequent.

The type of bird that you wish to attract will ultimately determine the type of food that you supply in the bird feeder. For example, while most food is made in the form of seeds, hummingbirds prefer liquid nourishment. This is a very important distinction as bird feeders are created for birdwatching and, without the proper food, there may not be any birds to watch.

Many people around the world enjoy birdwatching and some even record their experiences on video. Some individuals use webcams, while others use a regular camcorder to capture their birds on film. Don't be surprised, however, if you happen to capture a squirrel on video. These little creatures are famous for helping themselves to the contents of a bird feeder and not even so much to eat the food, but rather to carry it away and store it elsewhere. There are, however, a number of bird feeder manufacturers that create their products with the hope of deterring squirrels from swiping all of the seeds. This may include a collapsible bird feeder if anything heavier than a bird should begin to feed or one that provides a slight shock or spins to throw the squirrel a short distance away.

A bird feeder is easy to find at any retail or online store, but the many choices available may make the decision a difficult one. Ultimately, the size of the feeder and it's design will be the most important consideration.

Often, the most effective way of keeping a squirrel away from a bird feeder is to set out a squirrel feeder. Corn and berries are among the foods that may interest a squirrel and may keep him/her occupied so as to not disturb the bird feeder. These creatures, themselves, can add quite a lot of amusement and birds may find themselves sharing the spotlight as many birdwatchers turn toward watching squirrels, as well. Learn more about bird feeder - visit our website at http://www.bird-feeder-guide.info for bird feeder articles and reviews. ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-guide-metal-bird-feeders http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-guide-metal-bird-feeders#comments Mon, 01 Oct 2007 09:30:01 +0000 metal bird feedercopper accentsperky pettube bird feederbird feedersfeeder birdssunflower garden http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-guide-metal-bird-feeders Metal Bird Feeders combine practical usage with elegance and beauty to make your garden an inviting place for birds.

Perky Pet which is a leading supplier of wild bird products has some interesting metal bird feeders for you to choose from. As there are a large number of feeders, only a few will be described here. Should these bird feeders appeal to your tastes then you'll be able to view other types that are available.

The Sunflower Garden Metal Lantern Bird Feeder has an elegant and stylish design. It's made from durable powder coated metal in a beautiful garden green color. This feeder has the construction strength to provide you with years of bird feeding pleasure and comes with an 8 inch metal wire hanger.

The perches are in a "U" shape which is much preferred by feeder birds. The sides of the feeder are etched with a sunflower plexiglass design. These clear sides give you a view of the seed level within the metal bird feeders. You can keep 5 pounds of bird seed inside of the feeder and this bird feeder is designed for hanging.

The Copper Accented Bird Feeder is another metal bird feeder by Perky Pet Bird Feeders. This feeder has sparkling copper accents on the feeder. There is a unique seed dispensing tray at the bottom of the feeder. The feeder is made from powder coated metal in a decorative green coloring. It's in the style of a tube feeder, but the roof of the feeder is a copper plated top.

There are 4 feeding ports that have copper hoods above them, and also 4 copper perches as well. The base of these metal bird feeders is made from copper as well. In addition there are 4 more feeding ports. This 8 feeder port, tube bird feeder becomes a distinctive addition to your garden. The Copper Accented Bird Feeder will hold 6 pounds of seed mix or sunflower seeds. A heavy duty metal wire hanger is included with this feeder.

The last type of metal bird feeders comes from Heritage Farms. This Deluxe Seed and Suet Double Sided Bird Feeder has an attractive copper top. It's made of durable metal that will withstand whatever the weather throws at it and is squirrel and raccoon resistant as well. There are 2 sides that birds can eat seed from. In addition there are 2 suet feeder cages located on the sides of the metal bird feeders.

Any of these unique metal bird feeders will add an elegant and decorative touch to your garden and will also have the benefit of attracting many birds to your garden. Author's Sites: http://dogi-food-recipes.blogspot.com , http://cat-food-recipes.blogspot.com , http://myaroma.blogspot.com ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-guide-gazebo-bird-feeders http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-guide-gazebo-bird-feeders#comments Sat, 29 Sep 2007 03:30:01 +0000 safflower seedsgazebo bird feedergazebo stylesunflower seedsbird feedersdifferent types of birdssized birds http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-guide-gazebo-bird-feeders bird feeders and there are many different feeders that you can choose from that will suit the many various bird species that are around. One type is the hopper feeders which also include gazebo bird feeders in their range. These gazebo bird feeders will also accommodate large sized birds and are practical. They're also made with great care so that they add a decorative touch to your house and garden.

One type of gazebo bird feeder is handcrafted and made in America and is made from both inland and Western Red Cedar wood. The paint coating on the feeder is a non-toxic water based stain varnish. The roofs of the gazebo bird feeders are made of copper. This helps to control the damage that is inflicted by the weather. The top of the feeder slides open allowing you to clean the feeder of mold and other growth that will hurt any birds that come to your gazebo bird feeders.

This easy slide opening lets you pour more seed into the tubular feeder that is within the Gazebo feeder. The design of the feeder allows placing the feeder on a sturdy post or putting it up on a strong pole. Care should be taken with the placement of your Gazebo Bird Feeders so that no lurking predators will be able to eat any birds that are at this station.

Gazebo style feeders are great for attracting lots of different types of birds. The feeder will hold sunflower seeds, mixed seeds and safflower seeds. With these different seed types the birds that come to your gazebo bird feeders will also be different.

Using black-oil sunflower seeds will bring Goldfinches, Woodpeckers, Titmice, Chickadees, Nuthatches, Redpolls and Pine Siskins to your bird feeders. Finches, Grosbeaks, Cardinals, Nuthatches, Titmice and Chickadees will also flock around the gazebo feeder if you put safflower seeds there.

In general these feeders come in many shapes and sizes. They also come in attractive colors or you could perhaps purchase a do-it-yourself kit. These can be assembled with the greatest of ease and you'll also have the option of choosing your own color scheme. Painting it in bright colors will greatly attract many birds to your feeders and will lend your yard an air of festivity. Any paint used though, should be bird-friendly so check before buying it.

Buying multiple gazebo bird feeders will also allow you the opportunity to feed a great many birds and will afford you great pleasure as you relax and watch the antics of the birds. Author's Sites: http://dogi-food-recipes.blogspot.com , http://cat-food-recipes.blogspot.com , http://www.easyhomeremedy.com/pet_care/natural_pet_care_index.html ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-guide-audubon-bird-feeders http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-guide-audubon-bird-feeders#comments Tue, 25 Sep 2007 01:25:01 +0000 audubon bird feederssuet feedersuet cakesbirdstrees and shrubsgoldfincheschickadees http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-guide-audubon-bird-feeders birds as they try to get the best and largest amount of food. The bright colors and different species that come to our gardens are also a source of interest. One of the best ways to attract birds to your garden is with a feeder. As there are different aspects to the feeders, you might want to check out Audubon bird feeders just to get an idea of what you can buy.

There are different bird feeders that will suit the eating habits of your garden visitors. Ground feeders are best for birds like Doves, Goldfinches, Cardinals, Juncos, Towhees and Sparrows. These Audubon bird feeders need to kept in open areas, at least 10 feet away from any trees and shrubs. This way the birds will have a good chance of escaping from any incoming danger. The feeder is designed in a way that keeps the seeds fresh by separating the bird droppings from the seeds. Sometimes the ground feeders will have covers over them.

Sunflower seed tube feeders are good as they come with metal ports around the seed dispensers. These metal ports will stop hungry squirrels and house sparrows from raiding your bird feeders. It's best to position this type of feeder about 5 feet off of the ground. To see more bird varieties coming for some food, you may want to hang your feeder near the windows. Audubon bird feeders like these attract Chickadees, Nuthatches, Siskins, House Finches, Goldfinches, Titmice and Purple Finches as well

Another type of bird feeder that you should look into is the Suet feeder. Titmice, Chickadees, Nuthatches and Woodpeckers love to eat suet. Wrens and other birds will also sometimes eat the suet cake. You can feed suet by placing it in a mesh onion bag, or your other option is to buy Audubon bird feeders that are specially designed for feeding suet cakes to the different birds.

You can hang your suet feeder from trees or on a wire that's stretched out between trees. You can also place it near other feeder poles and watch different birds eating both the seeds and the suet cakes. Since the suet can turn rancid you should avoid giving this feed when the outside temperatures rise into the 80 degree range.

Hopper feeders will let larger birds like Jays, Grackles, Red-Winged Blackbirds and Cardinals enjoy the mixed bird seed. You will find that these types of Audubon bird feeders have the smaller bird types coming to eat as well. The feed is released as the birds sit on the feeder trigger.

With so many birds around you should think carefully what type of birds that you want coming to your garden and buy your feeder accordingly. The Audubon bird feeders will allow you a greater choice in feeders and will also give you the opportunity to see lots of interesting birds in the relative quiet of your home. Author's Sites: http://dogi-food-recipes.blogspot.com , http://cat-food-recipes.blogspot.com , http://www.easyhomeremedy.com/pet_care/natural_pet_care_index.html ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-guide-cedar-bird-feeders http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-guide-cedar-bird-feeders#comments Wed, 26 Sep 2007 02:25:01 +0000 cedar bird feedersthis means thathungry birdsgracklesgoldfincheschickadeesbluebirds http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-guide-cedar-bird-feeders This means that we try and ensure that their environment is ideal for their needs. A bird house is a good way to provide an instant nesting site or home for any visiting birds. A bird bath placed near a bird feeder provides a source of water for drinking, splash bathing and just having fun. The many types of feeders make sure that there is a ready supply of food for the birds. However Cedar Bird Feeders go beyond being just a bird supply item. They bring a level of sophisticated beauty to the garden.

Cedar Bird Feeders from Woodlink will give you the rustic look that you desire and yet this is combined with a practical usage. These feeders can be used anywhere it's necessary to feed large amounts of birds. They're also good for bird feeding sanctuaries.

Keeping this large sized feeder in your garden is an invitation for lots of birds to dine there. The Cedar Bird feeders are in the classic Hopper feeder style. Both sides of the feeder have lots of perching space in front of the feeding stations and there are clear plastic panels on both sides that show you the reservoir of seeds inside of the feeder.

An internal seed baffle design makes sure that any empty seed shells are emptied out on to the platform below. This design feature ensures that no residue is left in the Cedar bird feeders. The feeding platforms are green metal screens that can be removed. For the ease of cleaning and easy refilling the roof of the Cedar bird feeders are hinged.

These large Cedar bird feeders can hold 18 quarts of seed in them. This means that you don't have to continually refill the feeder and if you need to go on your holiday you won't be worrying about hungry birds.

Many bird species like to use this type of feeder. These include Wrens, Towhees, Sparrows, Jays, Grosbeaks, Blackbirds, Cardinals, Doves, Flickers, Redpolls, Woodpeckers, Titmice, Kinglets, Bluebirds, Goldfinches, Starlings, Finches, Chickadees, Nuthatches, Grackles, Siskins, Mockingbirds and Juncos.

These huge Cedar bird feeders are made in America from kiln dried Inland Red Cedar. They are hardy and durable. Their appearance will complement not only your garden but also any bird sanctuaries where they are needed. Due to the size of this feeder it may be best to pole mount it.

The best types of seed to use in this feeder are sunflower seeds, mixed seeds, cracked corn, sunflower kernels, safflower seeds and peanut chunks. The use of these varied bird seeds will bring different bird types to your Cedar Bird Feeders.

With the purchase of any Cedar Bird Feeders you can be assured of getting a good value and there are many years of enjoyment to be had from watching birds eating from the bird feeders. Author's Sites: http://dogi-food-recipes.blogspot.com , http://cat-food-recipes.blogspot.com , http://www.easyhomeremedy.com/pet_care/natural_pet_care_index.html ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-make-your-own-wooden-bird-feeder http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-make-your-own-wooden-bird-feeder#comments Thu, 24 May 2007 19:24:51 +0000 tray feedercoffee canbird feederpieces of woodbirdsempty coffeesquare piece http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-make-your-own-wooden-bird-feeder bird feeder as simple or extravagant as you desire, according to your level of expertise.

Those who are more adept with the tools of woodworking, may want to try their hand at making a wooden castle bird feeder. The idea behind this is to have all the stools on each side of the castle manufactured so as to stick out for the birds to eat their food out of. Or maybe you consider yourself to be talented enough to make a tube that spirals around, having a trough for the birds to snack away at. However, if you are not so talented and have never built one before, you may want to start with a simple step-by-step design.

You could try starting with a simple wooden tray feeder, where you just glue and nail a few pieces of wood together. As you become more experienced in constructing your wooden bird feeders, you'll be able to experiment a bit more until you feel confident enough to make the bigger feeders that call for a lot more talent and patience. As a child, perhaps you may have built your very first wooden tray feeders in wood shop. On the other hand, if you weren't fortunate enough to take the class you may have built your own bird feeder at home using a soda bottle or a coffee can. I can remember, back when I was a child, taking the empty coffee can, filling it up with my dad's sunflower seeds and hanging it from a tree just to watch the birds come to the yard Endless hours of pleasure!

Check out this quick and easy way to make a simple wooden tray feeder. Please keep in mind that if you are a child you will need adult supervision.

MAKING A WOODEN TRAY FEEDER

4 pieces of wood about 2 inches wide 1 square piece of wood Nails

Use the square piece of wood as the base for your wooden tray feeder. Now take your four pieces of wood and prop them up on all sides of the square. Hammer each strip to the base until you have a small square dish with sides. Insert a newspaper into the base, making sure to flatten it down properly so it doesn't fly out. Pour in the seeds and you are set to go. On top of a large post or table would be a great place to position your tray.

Children love building bird feeders as well. Once they spot you making one they'll naturally want to do something to help. Try giving them a pine cone, butter knife and some peanut butter and have them spread it all over the pine cone. When finished, have them sprinkle seeds all over it. They'll be happy that they got to make a bird feeder too.

Hopper feeders are little wooden bird feeders that look like houses; birds love these because they keep the wind and rain off them.

When caring for your wooden bird feeders always remember that you need to empty them of food every night, unless you can somehow cover them. Rain can ruin bird seeds and make birds extremely sick, and I'm sure that's the last thing you want.

Bird watching has always been, and always will be, a fun hobby. By building your own wooden bird feeders, you can make this a time full of memories for you and your children.

Decide what type of feeder you'll use and where in the yard it will go. Location is a key item when it comes to wooden bird feeders. If you don't have it in the right place the birds may never find it. Take a look at our video which shows you exactly how to make a wooden bird house at http://www.landscaping-for-wildlife.com/birdhouse-construction-video.html - Loads more information on landscaping for wildlife at our website at http://www.landscaping-for-wildlife.com ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/get-the-right-bird-feeder http://www.artwoo.com/article/get-the-right-bird-feeder#comments Sat, 04 Nov 2006 16:27:01 +0000 humming bird feederswild bird feedersbirds in your gardensmall birdsfull fledgedtrudgeneighbours http://www.artwoo.com/article/get-the-right-bird-feeder trudge out in the snow to see the chickadees, call the neighbours when there's a bluebird in the yard and sprinkle seed out for the magpies even though they're loud and scare our pets. At some point in everyone's life it's very likely that one or two bird feeders will be purchased so that we can pursue our odd obsession. But it's tough to know just which bird feeders to buy. Hanging, tree-attached, free-standing? There is a lot of choice out there.

It's a good idea to decide which sort of birds you want to attract to your yard, and think about which ones are already habitual visitors. All birds have different tastes and styles, and will respond to bird feeders and seeds in different ways. While your chickadees might enjoy smaller seeds and a bird feeder surrounded by bushes, cardinals will be happier with safflower and aren't picky about tree cover. They're just as picky as us, so it's best to know a little about the birds you want to meet before choosing seed and bird feeders!

The best way to discover about the birds in your garden is not to surf the net, but get down to your local library or bookshop and buy a book. Get one with color photographs if you can. You'll also learn about their nesting and rearing habits, which can become a hobby in itself.

While most small birds are partial to sunflower seeds, you are likely to find that an abundance of them in your yard (scattered across the ground by messy birds) will attract other sorts of wildlife as well. Squirrels, raccoons and the odd rabbit might come ambling by to sample the free food, and you'll be well on your way to owning a full-fledged menagerie. But what's wrong with that? You always did like a little bird-watching, and now you've got the whole zoo to yourself. http://www.birdfeederbox.com is a website packed with information on wild bird feeders and humming bird feeders ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/mishaps-in-a-critter-friendly-garden http://www.artwoo.com/article/mishaps-in-a-critter-friendly-garden#comments Wed, 02 Aug 2006 04:27:47 +0000 http://www.artwoo.com/article/mishaps-in-a-critter-friendly-garden Yesterday, I dropped a wooden bird feeder on a bird, oh my gosh, I felt so badly, however it did get up, scold me loudly and carry on. This brings me to the issue of creature safety in my yard. Apparently it isn't as critter friendly as I thought. You might want to close your eyes some of this is graphic in nature.

I drowned a squirrel in my garden fountain, I didn't mean to. I like squirrels and have many squirrel friendly parts of my yard. But sad to say he drowned because I didn't make sure he had a way out. So if you have a bird bath or a garden fountain or a bird bath water fountain or any sort of water feature in your yard make sure it has an escape ramp of some sort. A little pile of carefully placed rocks works well.

Another safety consideration is how well your bird houses and bird feeders are attached to their hangers. The bird house feeder that I dropped on the poor unsuspecting bird (who only wanted me to fill it so he could have lunch) was an older one and apparently I hadn't checked it recently. When I grabbed for it, the bird feeder fell apart dropping the roof on the little house sparrow. Well I guess that's ironic roof/house sparrow (ooh poor bird).

After these several instances (and a few more) I have come to pay attention to garden safety. Here are a few tips. Make sure your bird bath water fountains and garden fountains have something that helps the critters get up and out of the water. Check all moveable parts of birdhouse feeders and wooden bird feeders to make sure they are securely attached and can hold the weight of a bird without falling apart or falling off their hangers. Make sure that ornamental bird houses and bird feeders won't fall if the breezes get too strong, or in my case if a cat, raccoon or occasional bear tries to hang from it.

Our gardens should be safe havens not hazards for our little friends. Since we invite them in we need to make sure we protect them as best we can. After working for over 20 years in an office, I decided to work at home and sell something I really like. To me there is nothing like the sound of birds chirping in the morning. So after lots of pondering I chose to help them out and provide them with their own home at http://www.birdbathplus.com/ ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-guide-droll-yankee-bird-feeders http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-guide-droll-yankee-bird-feeders#comments Mon, 01 Oct 2007 18:29:59 +0000 droll yankee bird feedershummingbird feedershungry birdshummingbird feedersquirrelsnectarseeds http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-guide-droll-yankee-bird-feeders Droll Yankee Bird Feeders come with a Lifetime Warranty. For any damage that's caused the company will replace any defective parts and free of charge. This lasts for as long as you own any Droll Yankee Bird Feeders or other items. The warranty doesn't cover any misuse, neglect or accident caused by you.

While there are many types of Droll Yankee Bird Feeders to choose from only two of them are mentioned here. The first of these is the Tube Feeders. These feeders can be mounted on a pole or hung from any place that you deem as being good for you to see the birds that come to your garden.

The seed is poured into the clear tube and the feeding stations provide access to the seeds through small openings. This feature provides the tube with its squirrel resistant feel, but birds can still get to the seed without a lot of harassment from the squirrels. The tube can't be eaten-through by the squirrels either.

Unlike other tube feeders the Droll Yankee Bird Feeders includes an extra long extended-top area. This area acts as a storage facility for extra seeds. When the level of feed gets very low you it refills the tube with what's in the top area. Therefore there's less chance of hungry birds at the higher placed feeding stations. To let the birds eat in peace each feeding port comes with its very own perch of which there are 4-8.

Another of the Droll Yankee Bird Feeders is the Hummingbird Feeders. These feeders are easy to clean and refill, with the top lid snapping on and off easily. As the feeder is a horizontal circle you get a clear view of any Hummingbird that stops by the feeder.

The nectar guard tips, which is a trademark feature, and fits securely on to the port feeding stems and blocks ants and bees from entering the Hummingbird Feeder and getting to the nectar. There are 8 feeding stations. Each of these ports comes in the shape of a red flower. The outside edging of the feeder provides a sitting ledge for the hummingbirds while they drink the nectar that's in the bird feeder.

The feeder is made from UV stabilized impact resistant plastic. It's 10 inches in diameter and will hold 1 quart of nectar. The feeding ports are easy to remove and clean and the brass hanging rod is very durable and looks great too. You'll also find a nectar recipe engraved on the lid of these Droll Yankee Bird Feeders.

As you can see from these two Droll Yankee Bird Feeders buying one will have many advantages for you. And with so many of these bird feeders to choose from you know that you can't go far wrong. Droll Yankee Bird Feeders are some of the best on the market. Author's Sites: http://dogi-food-recipes.blogspot.com , http://cat-food-recipes.blogspot.com , http://www.easyhomeremedy.com/pet_care/natural_pet_care_index.html ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/hopper-feeders-and-bird-watching http://www.artwoo.com/article/hopper-feeders-and-bird-watching#comments Thu, 27 Sep 2007 07:25:02 +0000 this means thathopper feederschickadeesbirdsweatherhopper feederbd http://www.artwoo.com/article/hopper-feeders-and-bird-watching birds to come and visit. Besides providing water for them to drink and bath, a safe place to eat some food is a must. There are lots of bird feeders that you can put in your garden, but Hopper Feeders are probably an excellent choice for the beginner.

These feeders are also sometimes called Wood feeders. This feeder is very good because birds will feel comfortable here. The Hopper Feeders blend in quite well with the rest of your garden environment. A Hopper Feeder that is kiln dried and made from good quality Western Cedar wood will last for a long time and it will weather to a beautiful silvery gray color.

You can use Hopper Feeders right throughout the year. The Hopper Feeders have all-weather screws to help the feeder withstand whatever type of weather your region will experience. The top of the feeder can be easily opened to store bird feed and to make cleaning the Hopper Feeders easy. Since the Hopper Feeder is made from wood the rain will run off the top leaving the seeds inside nice and dry.

There are some birds that like to eat from a feeder that has a solid perch or platform for their eating ease. Northern Cardinals, Bluejays, Chickadees, Finches and others will come visit this sort of feeder. Owning large sized feeders like the Hopper Feeders will allow you to keep several pounds of sunflower and other seed mixtures in it without any hassle.

This means that you will spend less time refilling the feeder and more time spent on bird watching. A larger seed capacity is very important during the winter. The cold winter season means that with less food in the wild, the birds will depend on you. Your Hopper Feeders will then provide them with a valuable source of food.

The Hopper Feeders can come in many sizes but a good sized Hopper Feeder will measure about 11 =BD inches in length. 9 =BD inches in height and its width will be 9 =BD inches. As these feeders are made from wood you should take care where you will place them in your garden. Squirrels will demolish any Hopper Feeders that have no protection around them.

For this reason make sure that your wooden Hopper Feeders are in an area that has no trees or jumping points nearby for squirrels to take advantage of. Purchasing a good squirrel baffle is also another way to deal with the pesky problem. If you like these furry creatures however you could just place some extra seed away from your Hopper Feeders for the squirrels to enjoy. Whatever you decide, buying any of the Hopper Feeders available will only enhance your garden and bring a great many birds to your feeders. Author's Sites: http://dogi-food-recipes.blogspot.com , http://cat-food-recipes.blogspot.com , http://www.easyhomeremedy.com/pet_care/natural_pet_care_index.html ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-guide-finch-feeder http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-guide-finch-feeder#comments Sun, 30 Sep 2007 05:14:59 +0000 finch feederthistle seedssocial birdsloving birdssmall birdshouse finchesgoldfinches http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-guide-finch-feeder social birds. As they come in many different varieties you can be assured of seeing lots of variety at your Finch feeder. While birds like hummingbirds and Orioles may prefer nectar, Finches are strictly seed-loving birds. They especially love eating Nyjer seeds, Thistle seeds and the seed heads from tall weeds.

There are different types of Finch feeders available on the market. You will need to decide what sort of Finches you want in your garden and how many should come and visit you.

While you're placing your feeders in the garden do try and take into account that each type of Finch has different feeding requirements. House Finches are extremely sociable birds. They will gather at the feeding stations in groups as large as 30 or more birds at a time. Therefore your Finch feeder should be big enough to accommodate them.

An Adjustable Thistle Seed Finch Feeder is an ideal type of feeder. Here 18 different birds can perch on the colorful stands and eat their fill of thistle seeds. The adjustable feeder has three interlocking adjustable pieces to it. This feature allows you to clean the feeder very quickly and easily. The clear tube of the feeder allows you to see how much of seeds there are remaining in the Finch feeder. The drain sponge at the bottom of the tube makes sure that all moisture leaves the feeder; this keeps the seeds dry and fresh for the Finches. The birds that love this feeder design are Goldfinches, Finches, Grosbeaks, Redpolls and Siskins

The Small Nyjer Mesh Finch Feeder is constructed from mesh and has a protective polycarbonate collar both at the top and the bottom. This keeps the tube's shape and protects both you and the Finches from the sharp edges. This mesh covering makes this Finch Feeder great for small birds to cling and eat the Nyjer seeds. The baffle design directs the seeds towards the birds, allowing them to get at the seeds with ease. The mesh keeps the seeds dry and lets Chickadees, Finches, Goldfinches, Redpolls and Siskins enjoy eating at this feeder.

The Medium Nyjer Mesh Finch Feeder shares almost all of the traits of the small feeder. Instead of holding only three fourths of a quart of Nyjer seeds, you can place about 1 quart of the Nyjer seeds in the feeder. With this feeder you will get the same visitors to your garden as with the Small Nyjer Mesh Finch Feeder.

As you can see you have a large choice as to what Finch Feeder you'll place in your garden and what types of Finches that you get the chance to see day in and day out. And if none of these Finch Feeders suit your purpose you could always switch to feeding hummingbirds instead and get a hummingbird nectar feeder! Author's Sites: http://dogi-food-recipes.blogspot.com , http://cat-food-recipes.blogspot.com , http://www.easyhomeremedy.com/pet_care/natural_pet_care_index.html ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-bring-nature-to-your-back-yard http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-bring-nature-to-your-back-yard#comments Thu, 28 Feb 2008 07:25:01 +0000 hummingbird feederattracting butterfliesbird feederclimate zonetypes of birdsbird bathfire pit http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-bring-nature-to-your-back-yard bird feeder, or include a bird bath to encourage little visitors to enjoy themselves near your home.

Plant Flowers

Did you know that some types of plants and flowers are more likely to attract butterflies and hummingbirds? A visit to your local library or an online search will tell you which flowers will do well in your climate zone and attract these creatures to your yard.

If you are interested in attracting butterflies to your yard, you will want to include flowers with the type of nectar that they find appealing. Your garden should also include plants that caterpillars will like to eat as well. Hummingbirds will visit your yard if you make a point of including such plants as:

=95Cardinal Flower =95Red Columbine =95Indian Pink =95Red Buckeye =95Trumpet Honeysuckle

If you already have your garden planted or you aren't sure whether any hummingbirds will actually come to your yard, then another option is to start simply. Buy a hummingbird feeder, fill it with sugar water, and put it outside. Keep an eye on the feeder to see whether any hummingbirds find it. (They may be difficult to spot, since they are so small.)

Put Out a Bird Feeder

There are any number of styles of bird feeders on the market. Before you decide on one particular type, do some research to educate yourself about the types of birds that are native to your area and what they eat. Armed with this information, you can decide whether you should be buying a feeder that is hung from a tree or a post, sits on a table, or is meant to be placed on the ground.

Doing your homework means that you will know whether it makes sense to hang a suet bag or invest in a hummingbird feeder. Knowing in advance what kinds of seeds or feed to buy will make your trip to the store easier than if you try to make a decision after you get to the mall. When you are deciding where to put your bird feeder, do keep it well away from your fire pit.

Step out the Door

So you've built this beautiful outdoor oasis, now you just need to find the time to enjoy it. So turn off the television. Really, you can TV Survivor if you really have to. Remove the excuses for not going out by making plans ahead of time. Invite the neighbors over for a beer or hot cocoa. Show a date or your spouse your romantic and thoughtful side. Or just sneak away and relax on your own.

If it's getting late in the season, or chilly in the evenings try a small fire pit or chimenea to stave off the chill and add to the ambience of the scene you've created. This can extend the time you're able to spend in your natural habitat and let you enjoy your own back yard. http://www.premierefirepits.com fire pits. find hundreds and hundreds of http://www.premierefirepits.com/fire-pits.html fire pits and http://www.premierefirepits.com/chimineas.html chimineas at this premiere online shop. From marble and stone http://www.premierefirepits.com firepits, to even more high end http://www.premierefirepits.com/fire-pit-tables.html table fire pits, you can find it all here. ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-attract-and-feed-hummingbirds http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-attract-and-feed-hummingbirds#comments Fri, 12 Jan 2007 00:27:05 +0000 attract hummingbirdsfeeding hummingbirdshummingbird feedersholly hockstrumpet creeperflowering plantsfeeder http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-attract-and-feed-hummingbirds feeding hummingbirds by using a proper feeder that has been designed especially for them.

There are lots of different styles of hummingbird feeders. Most of them have some red in them because the birds are attracted to this color. However, if you find a feeder you really like that doesn't have any red in it, a red ribbon tied around it will do the trick.

Aside from red, another thing that will help to attract hummingbirds is the nectar from various flowers, vines, shrubs and tress. Positioning your feeder among your garden will also help to get their attention (even if the flowers aren't in bloom).

Some of the hummingbird's favorite plants include flowering plants such as Columbine, Begonias and Holly Hocks, Fuchsias, Lantana and Coral Bells. Pentunias, Impatiens, and Penstemen are other favorites.

Trees that flower, such as Morning Glory, Trumpet Honeysuckle and Trumpet Creeper can also help to attract hummingbirds.

Hummingbirds are very territorial, so you'll need to have your feeders in spots where they won't be visible to one another. If they're placed within sight of each other, the birds will often fight - sometimes to the death - to protect their food.

The best time of year to put out your feeder is 5 to 10 days before the start of hummingbird season. This lets any passing migratory hummingbirds see the feeder and they will quite likely stop in your garden. Hummingbird season starts when the weather begins to warm up.

A food mixture that has been found to be popular with hummingbirds can be made as follows:

- 1 part sugar - 4 parts water

Boil them together for a minute or two to kill bacteria and avoid spoilage. Cool the mixture in the fridge and store it there until it's feeding time.

Once you've started feeding them, you'll be amazed at how many hummingbirds will arrive at your garden, adding plenty of color and interest. Ronnie Booth writes about bird feeders and other birding topics on The Birding Guide website. For more helpful information and to sign up for our free birdwatching course, visit http://www.thebirdingguide.com ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/tips-for-attracting-birds-to-your-back-yard http://www.artwoo.com/article/tips-for-attracting-birds-to-your-back-yard#comments Sun, 02 Jul 2006 16:27:09 +0000 species of birdsbird feederbird bathfeathered friendsdust bathhttporiole feeder http://www.artwoo.com/article/tips-for-attracting-birds-to-your-back-yard
The first thing the birds need is food. A simple bird feeder with mixed seed can provide your birds with food, or you can go for something more complex, to attract more species of birds.

Thistle seed will attract many species of birds, such as some finches, that other wise would not come. Likewise, you may want to put out suet, or other "special" foods to attract more birds. Of course, during the summer, put out a hummingbird and/or an oriole feeder.

The second very important thing birds need is shelter. Birds have many predators out to catch them -- everything from hawks to cats. Some people will go so far as to build brush piles in their yards to shelter birds, but that is rather unsightly, to say the least. An easier solution is to plant a flower bed filled with some evergreen bushes, ground cover, etc. It will look great, and provide a haven for birds.

Another thing that you can offer birds is a bath. You can provide them with a typical water bird bath, or you can provide them with a dust bath. A dust bath can be as simple as a patch of sand underneath the bird feeder. Nothing fancy is required!

Last, but not least, you'll probably want to provide your birds with nesting houses -- a safe, dry place for the to raise their families! Of course, be sure that you choose appropriate houses for the species of birds that you have nesting in your yard. If you're fortunate, you might get to watch a pair of birds raise their young -- few things are more exciting to watch.

In summary, give birds what they need and want, and they will come to your yard -- and you can enjoy their colorful beauty. Be sure that you're outfitted with a pair of binoculars from Nikon or Olympus to watch your feathered friends with! Check out http://www.thompsonoutdoors.com/index.php?cPath=24_39 for great discounts on binoculars! ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/attracting-birds-to-your-garden-bird-feeder http://www.artwoo.com/article/attracting-birds-to-your-garden-bird-feeder#comments Sun, 30 Nov 2008 05:50:19 +0000 high protein foodsseed mixturesmeal wormsbaby birdsattracting birdsdifferent species of birdswild birds http://www.artwoo.com/article/attracting-birds-to-your-garden-bird-feeder wild birds during the winter months when their natural food may be unavailable but shortages do occur at other times of the year. So putting food out for the wild birds at any time of year can help when there are shortages. During the breeding season a temporary shortage of food will affect the young fledglings so it is especially helpful to put out food for the birds at this time.

Feeding in the Spring and Summer

During the summer and especially when they are moulting, birds need high protein foods. Good examples to put in your feeder are raisins, currents, black sunflower seeds, grated cheese, meal worms, soaked sultanas and commercially prepared summer seed mixtures. You can also purchase mixes for insect loving wild birds.

For fruit eating birds put out grapes, bananas, apples or pears, suitably chopped into smaller pieces. Avoid the use of peanuts, bread or fats as they can be harmful if taken back to baby birds. Home made fat balls are not really a good idea as they quickly go off in the warm weather. Commercially prepared fat bars are better and last for around three weeks before they must be thrown away.

During unseasonably cold or wet weather there may insect shortages. If the weather is very dry earthworms become difficult to catch. For birds with young in the nest they will be tempted by food on bird tables during these times so it is essential to make sure any food you put out is suitable for the young birds. Never put out loose peanuts, large pieces of bread, fats or hard, dry food at this time as these can be fatal if taken back to feed the baby birds.

Feeding in the Fall and Winter

During the colder months put food out for the birds regularly, twice a day if possible, especially in very cold weather. The birds need high energy food during this time so foods high in fats are particularly suitable. Put out good quality food and remove any uneaten food regularly.

Attracting Birds to Your Feeder

You can attract different species of birds to your garden by providing the food they like in a suitable feeder. Large birds will need a feeder with large, sturdy perches, hummingbirds will be attracted to a nectar feeder, finches to a thistle feeder. You can also purchase goldfinch feeders, jay feeders and woodpecker feeders.

Types of Bird Feeders

Feeders suitable for different types of food:
Tube feeder - small seeds including thistle seeds
Platform feeder - fruit or other food types
Hummingbird feeder - nectar
Squirrel proof - mesh cage feeders - peanuts, larger seeds, suet
Standard type feeder - safflower seeds, sunflower seeds

Food suitable for different species.

* Bluebird - bluebird seed available to purchase, cornmeal with peanut butter
* Bunting - small grains and seeds.
* Blackbirds - breadcrumbs, small seeds and grains
* Chickadee - sunflower seeds, unsalted nuts, safflower seeds, suet
* Finches - black sunflower seeds, thistle seeds
* Jays - peanuts, suet, corn, sunflower
* Mourning Doves - cracked corn seeds, wheat, sunflower and safflower seeds
* Mockingbirds - bread, suet, raisins
* Robins - breadcrumbs, raisins, apples
* Northern Shrikes - Suet.
* Siskins - sunflower seeds, thistle seeds
* Thrashers - suet, raisins, bread
* Towhee birds - seed mixes for small birds
* Woodpeckers - cracked corn seeds, wheat, sunflower and safflower seeds
* Warblers - peanut butter, suet
* Townsend's Warblers - cheese, peanut butter, suet
* Yellow Throated Warblers - breadcrumbs.For more information on attracting birds to your garden and some good deals on garden bird feeders check out Garden Bird Feeders or Finch Bird Feeders]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-cages-home-tweet-home http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-cages-home-tweet-home#comments Mon, 28 May 2007 12:14:56 +0000 bird cagebird cagesstainless steelhorizontal barscause injurieschrome platedshapes and colors http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-cages-home-tweet-home
If you are looking for a bird as a pet, the first thing you should have before even bringing it home is a bird cage. This is going to be his/her home and should give your bird a feeling of comfort and security. Buying a bird cage is an expensive affair, and great care should be taken before purchasing one.

The first thing to consider is safety, as many birds have become injured - from minor toe abrasions to death from strangulation.

The majority of bird cages are made from different kinds of metal that include wire, stainless steel, zinc, brass and chrome. The most economical types are wire cages, and are processed in two different ways: galvanized after welded, and galvanized before welded. The reason for galvanizing the metal is to prevent the metal from rusting; therefore buying a cage that has been galvanized after welding is the safer option.

Metal cages are manufactured in a variety of metals, sizes, shapes and colors and are moderately priced. They are usually made of brass or chrome plated, or they have a powdered coated paint finish. Bird cages that have the painted finish are more resistant to chipping and rust, and are easier to clean than the plated cages where the plating can wear off over time.

A cage made of stainless steel is the most expensive, but it is the safest material for cage construction and will last a lifetime. While decorative features may give the cage a great look, it can be risky and cause injuries.

Bar spacing is also important in preventing injuries. The bars need to be smaller than the bird's head, and horizontal bars give a bird greater climbing mobility for additional exercise and play.

When considering size, the largest bird cage should be considered, or at least one where a bird can extend both wings at the same time. Therefore the width of the cage is more important than the height.

Other features to consider are the main entry door on the cage, which should be large enough to be able to remove the bird with ease, and lock down feeder dishes and dish covers and hoods to prevent a mess. Entry doors and feeder doors should have a locking mechanism to prevent accidental escape.

Removable grids and litter trays, as well as removable seed guards and play tops to give the bird time out of the cage, are other options to look out for.

Purchasing a new bird and buying supplies is a thrilling experience, but the safety factor should be given top priority to ensure your bird is secure within the confines of his/her new home. For further detailed information on bird cages be sure to visit http://www.bird-cages-online.info/sitemap.php and http://www.bird-cage-notes.info/ ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-bird-bath-heater http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-bird-bath-heater#comments Tue, 25 Sep 2007 01:35:01 +0000 bird bath heaterbirdsweatherexternal power sourcewater to drinkwinter birdbird watcher http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-bird-bath-heater Birds have this tendency as well. They call to each other to come and have some great food, or to be aware of danger, they will even invite other birds to come and take a nice cleansing bath. For winter bird bathing having a bird bath heater will still let you take advantage of your bird watching hobby.

As birds need water to drink and to cleanse themselves, having a bird bath near a bird feeder is a wonderful idea. The more experienced bird watcher will have many different treats left out for the birds no matter what the season is like. Unfortunately these treats may not be enough for the birds in the cold or freezing weather.

Therefore a heated bird bath will provide winter chilled birds with a good supply of fresh water to drink and the chance to get nice and clean. The added bonus of having a heater is that the winter chill won't be able to freeze the water.

There are many types of bird bath heaters that you can buy. For all of these heaters you should first see if you have an external power source available. By chance if your house doesn't have such power sources then have an electrician install this power unit.

Afterwards all you need to do is heat the water with your bird bath heater unit and then once the water is at the right temperature, remove the heater. You can then keep watch as lots of different birds come to your bird bath. They will love the hot de-iced water and you can be sure of having an endless stream of feathered visitors to your garden. You may even be surprised to see some uncommon bird varieties.

On the other hand if you don't want to spend time looking for a misplaced bird bath heater, then you can buy an all in one heated bird bath. This type of bird bath heater has the heating unit already placed inside of the bird bath. Once you switch the unit on, the water in the bath will continue to keep hot at the right temperature.

Whether you are an experienced bird watcher or just a novice you can gain a lot of enjoyment by having feeders and a bird bath in your garden. To make sure that you get different species of birds to your garden in the winter, the main thing that you will need is a bird bath heater or an all in one heated bird bath to lure them over to your garden. Then just sit back and enjoy the show from the cozy warmth of your home. Author's Sites: http://dogi-food-recipes.blogspot.com , http://cat-food-recipes.blogspot.com , http://myaroma.blogspot.com ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-guide-hummingbird-feeder-tubes http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-guide-hummingbird-feeder-tubes#comments Mon, 01 Oct 2007 18:20:00 +0000 hummingbird feedercopper wireshummingbirdsalightflowering plantshibiscus flowerrealistically http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-guide-hummingbird-feeder-tubes Hummingbirds are one of the more beautiful birds that you will see in nature. These little beauties are constantly on the search for food. As they fly at very high speeds they burn up more than half of their energy reserves. To help them find lots of food you can plant different flowering plants, shrubs, trees and hummingbird feeder tubes in various places in the garden.

Hummingbird feeder tubes are simply long tubes that provide nectar to the hummingbirds. As these tubes simulate the flowers that the birds drink from naturally, they are drawn to these types of feeders.

There are lots of varieties of Hummingbird feeder tubes that you can buy on the market. A visit to your nearest pet shop or the internet will reveal the different hummingbird feeder tubes that are available.

Holland Hill Tweeter Totter has different hummingbird feeder tube designs. These feeders are made of long, thin, crystal glass. Thin strands of copper are entwined all around the 2 tubes. The copper strands form a diagonal pattern around the feeders. The ends of the feeding ports are red, this is a color that hummingbirds seem to love; they also have little red glass balls hanging down from thin copper wires. The perches for the hummingbird feeder tubes are twisted copper wires. When the Hummingbirds alight on the perches, they will tilt the tubes full of nectar towards them.

Another type of hummingbird feeder is a 17 inch long crystal tube. For this Hummingbird Feeder design there is a long entwining copper wire that is shaped like a stem with brass leaves hang realistically from the stem. The copper stem and brass leaves are shaped around the crystal tube body. The feeding ports are elongated red feeder tubes that resemble flowers. The red of the flowers serve to attract the hummingbirds.

Red Hibiscus flower shaped hummingbird feeder tubes are also a favorite of both hummingbirds and people. This is one way that you can provide a natural looking source of food for hummingbirds in your garden. The Hibiscus flower is made from recycled hand blown glass. It's about 7 inches in length and it comes complete with an "S" shaped hook for hanging purposes. These hummingbird feeder tubes can hold up to =BE cups of nectar.

You can also hang red hand blown glass globes in your garden. The bright red balls will invite lots of hummingbirds to come. At the bottom of the sphere you will find a feeder tube. The ends of these hummingbird feeder tubes are red. Even though they are 4.5 inches in diameter these red glass balls will hold =BE cups of nectar.

Hummingbird feeder tubes come in many designs but they all have the same purpose, which is to provide another source of food for the ever hungry hummingbirds in your garden. Author's Sites: http://dogi-food-recipes.blogspot.com , http://cat-food-recipes.blogspot.com , http://myaroma.blogspot.com ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/winter-bird-care-getting-your-back-yard-birds-through-wintertime http://www.artwoo.com/article/winter-bird-care-getting-your-back-yard-birds-through-wintertime#comments Tue, 25 Nov 2008 23:58:12 +0000 suet feederpest birdsfood compoundtypes of birdsenergy foodsraw beeftough ones http://www.artwoo.com/article/winter-bird-care-getting-your-back-yard-birds-through-wintertime tough ones for our feathered friends. Food can be hard to find, as there is less of it, and what there is may be covered by snow and ice. The bushes and plants are mostly dormant, and for those birds that normally feed on insect, these too are are often hibernating or dormant, and certainly not available to eat. All this combines to make it hard for the birds to find food. Compound this with the fact that as warm blooded creatures they need more energy to simply stay warm in the wintertime, and you can easily see that this can be a time of stress.

A great source of high calorie, or high energy food is suet. Suet is raw beef fat, typically taken the animal's kidneys and loins. Because of its high fat content it is very high in energy. It is often combined with some other high energy foods like nuts to make it very attractive to a wide range of birds, such as nuthatches, woodpeckers, wrens, cardinals, bluebirds. On the flip side, it can also attract squirrels and some pest birds as well, such as starlings. One thing many people so is use a caged feeder to discourage the squirrels from poaching the suet. Another thing to try with starlings is a suet feeder that only has a cage opening on the bottom, as they will not usually feed that way but many other birds will.

Suet usually goes through a process called rendering, which gives it the lard like appearance and an almost waxy like texture. It is usually shaped like a small block, similar in size and shape to a simple sandwich. It can be mounted in a feeder that simply hangs it on a tree, in cages that can be hung from tree branches, or there are some hopper type feeders that hold bird seed in the hopper, and have suet cages on the side, which can serve to feed several types of birds at one time.

Another popular approach is to use suet ball, which often have a string so they can simply be hung from tree branches. To keep pests away, one favorite trick is to flavor the suet with pepper. The pepper will discourage mammals like squirrel, but the birds are unaffected by the pepper.

The winter months also make it tough to keep water available to your outdoor wildlife. The cooler temperatures work quickly on devices like bird feeders since they are designed to be shallow, which means they will freeze up fairly fast. One way to deal with this is to buy a heated bird bath. But if you already have a favorite bird bath, another simple solution is to use a bird bath heater. This are simple coils, usually powered off the household current, and will have a thermostat built in so they will keep the water at a reasonable temperature will thawing it nicely for the birds to use.

Just a few simple ideas like this will help keep your local bird population healthy and ready to sing when the spring thaw eventually comes.To learn more about suet bird feeders and to see the various types of bird bath heaters, go to http://backyard-birdz.com]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/garden-bird-houses-some-tips-to-attract-the-birds-and-keep-them-safe http://www.artwoo.com/article/garden-bird-houses-some-tips-to-attract-the-birds-and-keep-them-safe#comments Sun, 30 Nov 2008 06:15:21 +0000 squirrel proof bird feederwild flower seedsheated bird bathwater containersbird bathswild birdswater pans http://www.artwoo.com/article/garden-bird-houses-some-tips-to-attract-the-birds-and-keep-them-safe wild birds to your garden and hopefully to set up home in your garden bird house. Providing food and a safe place to eat is one of the easiest and most effective ways. This is particularly important during the winter months when there may be lack of their natural food.
Set up feeding stations designed for the different species you would like to see in your garden.

For finches place specially designed thistle feeders that hold the small thistle feeds that they love. Other speciality bird feeders include hummingbird feeders to hold nectar, woodpecker feeders and jay feeders. Tube feeders are designed to prevent seeds spilling on the ground and keep the seeds dry. You could also set up a window feeder to see the birds from the comfort of your room.

Always check the food regularly to make sure it is dry and free from mold and clean up around the feeder to deter wasps, ants and other predators. If squirrels are a problem in your garden be sure to purchase a squirrel proof bird feeder.

Provide Fresh Water for the Birds

Wild birds need a source of fresh water for both drinking and bathing. You could provide this with water pans or bird baths. Place water containers at various levels as some birds prefer ground level, others will be attracted to water placed at a higher level. Place any water sources away from bird feeders as birds prefer a quiet place for bathing and preening. Attract the birds to your water source with a water dripper placed in the bird bath or a mister in the trees. The gentle sounds of running water will attract the birds and many birds enjoy a bath below the dripper or in a mister as it simulates raindrops on their feathers.

During the winter months a heated bird bath or one fitted with a de-icer will ensure the water is always at the right temperature and available for the birds.

Provide a Natural Environment

Let a part of your garden grow wild and scatter wild flower seeds through the area to provide a natural environment for the birds. hang bird feeders from trees or posts in this area. This will enhance the sense of security for the birds.

Your bird house must be a safe place for birds to nest and bring up their young. Here are some tips for making your bird house proof from squirrels, yellow jackets, snakes, cats, wasps, ants and other invasive birds.

Perches

There is no need to have any perches in your bird house. The nesting birds do not need them and they only provide a means for predators to gain entrance. many bird houses come with a perch under the entrance hole. Remove it!

Baffles

A bird house mounted on a pole can have baffles fitted to prevent predators from climbing the pole and gaining entrance to the bird house. A metal baffle is preferable as it cannot be chewed. A bird house mounted on a tree can also have baffles attached to the tree trunk.

Metal plates

A metal plate fitted with a small entrance hole can be placed over the original hole on the bird house. This will prevent predators from enlarging the hole to gain entrance.

Entrance Hole

use a bird house with a small entrance hole that is just large enough for the species of bird you wish to attract. A larger hole will allow invading birds to gain entrance and eject the baby birds inside.

Ants Nests

Regularly check around the bird house (and bird feeders if you have them) for ants nests. Deal with them quickly using a method that is not harmful to wild birds.

Metal Poles

For bird houses mounted on metal poles slip a large PVC pipe over the pole before mounting the bird house. This will deter squirrels, snakes and raccoons from climbing up to the bird house. You could also smear vegetable oil on the pipe.

Cats

Fit your cat with a collar with a bell to prevent her sneaking up on the birds.For more information on attracting birds to your garden and some good deals on garden bird houses check out Garden Bird Houses or Blue Bird Houses]]>